Circular modular building



June 14, 1966 w MCCLENAHAN 3,255,560

CIRCULAR MODULAR BUILDING Filed March 12, 1963 z Sheets-Sheet 1 PM INVENTOR.

WILLIAM F. McCLENAl-IAN BYgM%./M.

ATTORNEYS June 14, 1966 w. F. M CLENAHAN 3,255,560

CIRCULAR MODULAR BUILDING Filed March 12, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ell-1:2 ,NVENTOK WILLIAM F. MCCLENAHAN ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,255,560 CIRCULAR MODULAR BUILDING William F. McClenahan, 778 Burlway Road, Burlingame, Calif. Filed Mar. 12, 1963, Ser. No. 264,612 1 Claim. (Cl. 52237) This invention relates to a method of building construction and more particularly relates to a method by which walls can be prefabricated and rapidly joined together with simple fastening means to form a completed structure. The invention also includes a method of providing roof supports for such a structure. The invention has been applied and will be described in terms of the building of rest rooms, although it will be obvious from the description which follows that the building method is a general, one and can be used for various kinds of structures.

In the drawings forming a part of this application:

FIGURE 1 is a partial side sectional view of a building embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a plan sectional view on the line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a partial plan view of the structure shown in FIGURE 1 showing the method of roof construction.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a supporting column and adjacent wall panels on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing the method of joining roof elements on the line 5-5 of FIG- URE 1.

Referring now to the drawings by reference characters, there is shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 a building structure generally including a foundation 7, upright column members 9; the uprights 9 supporting panels as at 11 are therebetween. The uprights 9 also support the roof structure generally designated 13 which comprises a plurality of panels 15 with roof beams 35.

Referring now specifically to FIGURE 4, the method by which adjacent panels are joined will be described. In FIGURE 4 the uprights generally designated 9 comprise mating column or upright structural elements 17 and 19. These members have been grooved as at 21 so that the edge of a panel 23 can be inserted therein. A similar panel 25 is shown inserted in the upright 17. In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 4, the end member 19 is shown at an angle to the panel 23 since in this particular case the structural element was used to construct a rounded building. However, in the case of straight walls, the upright would be normal to the panel. Preferably, an adhesive is used to hold the panel in the groove. The upright at the opposite end of panel 23 is not illustrated but would be a mirror image, i.e. the structure would be exactly that shown wherein the panel 25 is held by the upright 17.

In FIGURE 4, the method of joining two adjacent structural units is also shown. Here, bolts 27 and 29 have been passed through holes in the uprights 17 and 19 joining the two uprights forming a continuation of the wall panels 23 and 25. The bolts may be opposite each other or staggered as is shown in FIGURE 1.

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In FIGURE 5, the method of adding a roof element is shown. Here, side plates 31 and 33 have been placed on each side of the uprights 17 and 19, the plates extending beyond the top of the uprights and holding the roof beam which has been generally designated 35. The beam 35 has a bottom plate 37 adapted to rest on the tops of the uprights, a center rib section 39 and a top section having slots 41 and 43 for the reception of the roof panel members. Bolts 45 and 47 are passed through the side members 31 and 33 and the top bolt 47 also passes through a hole of the beam 35, holding it in place. The roof panels 49 and 51 are held in the slots 41 and 43 by means of screws 53 and 55. Thus, side plates 31 and 33 serve both to hold the upright members together and also to hold the roof beam 35. The circular wall panel units and interior panels extend from the foundation to the roof and together provide the sole supports for the roof. Said interior walls lie on chords of the said circular walls.

I claim:

In a circular building construction comprising: a foundation, vertical wallpanel units arranged side by side in a generally circular wall configuration, and a roof mounted on the upper end of said panel units covering said foundation, each of said wall panel units having front and rear surfaces; a pair of upright members, one being disposed at each side of said wall panel units, each of said upright members having a groove therein whereby the opposite ends of said wall panel units extend into the grooves of the upright members at each end thereof, fastening means holding said wall panel units in said grooves, said upright members extending beyond the front and rear surfaces of said panel units, holes in said upright members of adjacent panel units to the front and rear of the panel units receiving bolts therethrough securing said panel units together to form a continuous circular wall; interior walls lying on chords of said circular wall, said interior walls composed of wall panels, said circular wall panel units and interior wall panels extending from said foundation to said roof and together providing the sole supports for said roof, and side plates having first downwardly extending legs encompassing two adjacent upright members and attached thereto, and second legs extending upwardly beyond said uprights, said roof comprised of roof panels with roof beams interposed therebetween and connected thereto, said second legs encompassing one of said roof beams and attached thereto.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,747,313 2/1930 Miss 5290 2,358,704 9/ 1944 Goudy 52236 2,373,409 4/ 1945 Myer 52293 2,775,794 1/ 1957 Keely 52---82 2,814,999 12/1957 Reeves 52-478 FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

EARL J. WITMER, Examiner. 

